Hello to all! There are times that I cannot remember what happened in the last week so I will go through some of my investigators and update you on there progress. (By the way...transfers are next week so I'll let you know what happens with Sis. Mosley and I next pday...which I'm not sure if it will be on Wednesday. We're both feeling like we're going to stay together...so not too worried)
Mandy McLaws
She has been coffee free for over a week. I was giving up ice cream for the first week to support her and I did it..the day we went to see her I was allowed to eat ice cream again...and I had a shake right before we went to her house and I felt so guilty because she's doing so good on not drinking coffee which is addicting and ice cream is not and I can't even go more than a week. I've decided and committed myself to not eating ice cream for the rest of my mission. Now that's like 5 months! So that will be difficult...especially because I love ice cream...but that's the point. Do do something hard! If Mandy can give up coffee...I can give up ice cream. Then as a reward (because ice cream is NOT against the word of wisdom...) I will have a Chic-Fil-A shake as my break to my ice cream fast. Now that I've declared this to my email world...let it be done!
We think of putting her on date as soon as possible...we just need to see about some FLDS background.
Fred Masters
I'm not sure if I told you about him yet....he's in his 60's and he's had many missionaries over the years since his wife joined the church 5 years ago. We've been trying to get him to pray. (He doesn't know that we know...he can't read...so we usually ask his wife and him to read things together) But we want him to pray specifically about Joseph Smith and Book of Mormon. When we come back he doesn't do it. He was "too busy". But he had time to pray about OTHER things. We stopped by last Wednesday night because we felt impressed...and it came up that he was afraid of making such a huge commitment. He doesn't want to do it and then go less active like he sees around him all the time. He's not ready to act. So even if he prayed about these things he probably wouldn't get an answer. We've seen many time the Spirit bear witness to him that what we're talking about it true. Sis. Mosley called him out on it..."we know that not everything has to be prayed about and we can tell you already know that these things are true!" He didn't disagree. He does know. So we thought maybe his biggest feat to overcome and that he's afraid of falling back on is smoking. We taught him the word of wisdom yesterday...and he let us know he has a DESIRE to quit. AMAZING. We feel that once this is over come he'll have a stronger desire for baptism.
Kelli Lester
This is a 19 year old girl who was dating a less active kid...but he's since become active...obviously since they're both meeting with missionaries. She wants to be baptized but they're waiting until they're married for many different reasons. She's one of those people you know that if you had more time and weren't on a mission you'd be good friends with. She's hilarious and her testimony is apparent more and more every time I go see her. She's been taught before I even came into the area but it's cool that I still feel like we're close. She's even asking her little 8 and 7 year old nieces to sit in from time to time. They want to go to church and have so many good questions. It's amazing. Micheala the 8 year old wanted to see a picture of Jesus (they don't know much) and I pointed to one and she goes "oh he's mighty handsome!" hahaha
Well if there's anyone else I've mentioned previous that I haven't talked about in a while let me know, I'll do it. Even people from past areas...because I still ask the missionaries there about how they're doing. You never forget these people you help...it's a bond that indescribable! Much like our Heavenly Father's love for us.
Love,
Sister Page
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Can I Count the Ways?
How do I love thee let me count the ways?
I think that is somewhat what Heavenly Father is saying to me and Sis. Mosley! He is showing us how much he loves us and believe me there are too many ways to count! We have been blessed to find so many ready and willing to hear the gospel. Let me briefly go through each one:
Seth Barlow- He is the father of 5 kids and he is not a member. He grew up in a polygamist community but left 14 years ago. Right now his wife is in jail (she's a member) but we don't know all of the details with that. The kids though are so cute! We're teaching all of them but only two are able to be baptized. Daniel (11) and Alice (9) and then when things settle down we'll figure out how to teach Seth on his own. He already has a pretty good knowledge but our lessons will consist of more in depth things that he might have questions on. So we're excited. He made us dinner after our first appointment. He's such a patient person...I don't know how he does it. I have much to learn from him. (In that way he reminds me of Steve Allred... :) )
The Arnold Family- the parents are members (the mom is a convert of about 7 years or so) but they have been LESS ACTIVE for 6 years. Something that happened in Illinois with a Bishop. Not sure of the details there either but the mom wants to come back and we can see a little bit of a desire in the husband (a life long member) but we're hoping to strengthen that desire. They have 4 girls ages 9-15...and they don't know very much about the gospel...so it's starting from square one on a couple things...but I think as they learn they'll feel more comfortable at church. :) They seem really excited so we'll have fun! The dad actually invited us over for dinner as well!
Gina- We've been trying to meet with her for a long time. We would go over and set something up and then we'd go over and she'd want to reschedule. We were wondering how serious she was. But finally we were able to sit down with her and say "Do you want to meet with us?" and she just opened up. She was a drug addict for 12 years and has been 4 years clean. She has a new out look on life and she said "I like when you come around...I know you're good....I know you know what scriptures I should read...I know this gospel is true...no one can tell me that it's not." We are like YESSS but her problem is she feels like she's looked down on because of her past...and she has tattoos and she smokes. So we're going to work with her. She said "don't expect me to be someone I'm not..." Well Gina we can see your potential...so we're not going to force you to do anything we're going to stretch you so be able to gain the blessings of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost!
Amazing times in the mission. Sis. Mosley and I hope to stay another transfer together. I'd love to just stay her comp forever...but we'll try not to push it. Missionary work really does bring such great joy! I'm so thankful for the opportunity I've been able to take this time to learn and grow...and stretch!
Love, Sister Page
I think that is somewhat what Heavenly Father is saying to me and Sis. Mosley! He is showing us how much he loves us and believe me there are too many ways to count! We have been blessed to find so many ready and willing to hear the gospel. Let me briefly go through each one:
Seth Barlow- He is the father of 5 kids and he is not a member. He grew up in a polygamist community but left 14 years ago. Right now his wife is in jail (she's a member) but we don't know all of the details with that. The kids though are so cute! We're teaching all of them but only two are able to be baptized. Daniel (11) and Alice (9) and then when things settle down we'll figure out how to teach Seth on his own. He already has a pretty good knowledge but our lessons will consist of more in depth things that he might have questions on. So we're excited. He made us dinner after our first appointment. He's such a patient person...I don't know how he does it. I have much to learn from him. (In that way he reminds me of Steve Allred... :) )
The Arnold Family- the parents are members (the mom is a convert of about 7 years or so) but they have been LESS ACTIVE for 6 years. Something that happened in Illinois with a Bishop. Not sure of the details there either but the mom wants to come back and we can see a little bit of a desire in the husband (a life long member) but we're hoping to strengthen that desire. They have 4 girls ages 9-15...and they don't know very much about the gospel...so it's starting from square one on a couple things...but I think as they learn they'll feel more comfortable at church. :) They seem really excited so we'll have fun! The dad actually invited us over for dinner as well!
Gina- We've been trying to meet with her for a long time. We would go over and set something up and then we'd go over and she'd want to reschedule. We were wondering how serious she was. But finally we were able to sit down with her and say "Do you want to meet with us?" and she just opened up. She was a drug addict for 12 years and has been 4 years clean. She has a new out look on life and she said "I like when you come around...I know you're good....I know you know what scriptures I should read...I know this gospel is true...no one can tell me that it's not." We are like YESSS but her problem is she feels like she's looked down on because of her past...and she has tattoos and she smokes. So we're going to work with her. She said "don't expect me to be someone I'm not..." Well Gina we can see your potential...so we're not going to force you to do anything we're going to stretch you so be able to gain the blessings of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost!
Amazing times in the mission. Sis. Mosley and I hope to stay another transfer together. I'd love to just stay her comp forever...but we'll try not to push it. Missionary work really does bring such great joy! I'm so thankful for the opportunity I've been able to take this time to learn and grow...and stretch!
Love, Sister Page
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Spiritual Guidance
Okay so this week to put a little umph in my email I brought my journal to the library! I mostly brought it with me because of all of the spiritual experiences we had this week that I didn't want to forget to tell everyone about: (LIST TIME!)
#1. Direct from Sister Page's journal account:
January 27th 2010
Talk about most spiritual transfer ever...it's only been a week and so much personal revelation has poured out upon me than I scarcely have time to write it down! Here is my example and testimony builder of the day: We have to back track a little to show how the Lord prepared us to recieve this revelation. Last night at the VC Sis. Mosley was talking to a girl named Valerie about how she knew she needed to go on a mission. She said, "I didn't aboslutley know until May when I could actually put my papers in...until I could do something about my answer." Interestingly enough that's the same with me...I didn't get my answer about going on a mission until I could actually put my papers in! Then the night before we were pre-setting (introducing) the Joseph Smith Movie to this couple (the man was not a member) and I said "Ask yourself if you know that Joseph Smith was a prophet...and if you know he is...what are you going to do about it?" (just to conclude...the nonmember man was not impressed with the movie and had a hard heart!) So TONIGHT we went on splits and S. Mosley had come back and used those exampled with an investigator (Tim) who doesn't feel like he's getting answers to his prayers...and she said "Tim, no on will recieve answers to prayers UNLESS they're ready to ACT on it!" It is sooo true!!! We might want the answer to our prayers but Heavenly Father is not ready to give it until He knows what we're going to DO with the answer. Amazing! It's like my answer to go on a mission. I didn't recieve my answer for until Heavenly Father KNEW I was ready to accept and act upon it. So S. Mosley asked Tim, "When you pray...if you recieve and answer are you ready to act on it?" Tim never had thought about that. SO POWERFUL...
#2. Zone Conference!
Febuary 1st 2010
Of course spiritual nourishment there! I looove it. Probably one of the things I will miss MOST about the mission. :) Our scripture theme was D&C 58:27. We talked about free will...agency...and how we can choose liberty and eternal life or capitvity and death. How it's sometimes fogged on which one it which...we don't always see capitivity as a consequence...but that's what Satan wants you to think...that everything is "okay" until BAM...it's too late. We talked about daily repentance! I never really had known how to go about doing that....but Pres. Pitts (LOVE HIM!) said we should review our day and go through all the things we've done and find places we need to thank Heavenly Father for...and places we know we need to improve. I've applied this...and my prayers have not only become more meaningful...but much longer...and it's not repetitious! Try it! I feel so much closer to my Heavenly Father!
#3. Baptisms
January 30th 2010
Okay so I'm not going in order...but you get the idea. We had two baptisms this last weekend. Dausi was 12 years old and had met with missionaries for YEARS. Her mom is not a member but allowed her to get baptized. I wasn't really involved too much because I just came but it was a great day to see her take that step. Steve is the other bapitsm. I got to know him really well because we had daily contact with him the week and a half before his baptism. That's pretty hard to do since we have so much going on...but we did have daily contact. He's 44 and was taught for only a month or so before he was ready to be baptized. He truly had a change of heart. I didn't know him before but I heard about who he was and his attitude and it had totally changed. Every time he thought about his baptism or how the gospel of Jesus Christ has changed him...he'd get a little weepy. He's so happy...he's one of those people that you can see the fruits of your labors with. It's going to be hard when we have to stop teaching him and let him go on his own!
Well that's the spiritual knowledge I gained this week. Heavenly Father never ceases to amaze me. I love Him and how much He cares about me and the work S. Mosley and I doing together in our stakes. This is the best work in the world...I can't wait to be that support for the missionaries when I get back...i'm going to find them 1000 people to teach! haha Love, Sister Page
#1. Direct from Sister Page's journal account:
January 27th 2010
Talk about most spiritual transfer ever...it's only been a week and so much personal revelation has poured out upon me than I scarcely have time to write it down! Here is my example and testimony builder of the day: We have to back track a little to show how the Lord prepared us to recieve this revelation. Last night at the VC Sis. Mosley was talking to a girl named Valerie about how she knew she needed to go on a mission. She said, "I didn't aboslutley know until May when I could actually put my papers in...until I could do something about my answer." Interestingly enough that's the same with me...I didn't get my answer about going on a mission until I could actually put my papers in! Then the night before we were pre-setting (introducing) the Joseph Smith Movie to this couple (the man was not a member) and I said "Ask yourself if you know that Joseph Smith was a prophet...and if you know he is...what are you going to do about it?" (just to conclude...the nonmember man was not impressed with the movie and had a hard heart!) So TONIGHT we went on splits and S. Mosley had come back and used those exampled with an investigator (Tim) who doesn't feel like he's getting answers to his prayers...and she said "Tim, no on will recieve answers to prayers UNLESS they're ready to ACT on it!" It is sooo true!!! We might want the answer to our prayers but Heavenly Father is not ready to give it until He knows what we're going to DO with the answer. Amazing! It's like my answer to go on a mission. I didn't recieve my answer for until Heavenly Father KNEW I was ready to accept and act upon it. So S. Mosley asked Tim, "When you pray...if you recieve and answer are you ready to act on it?" Tim never had thought about that. SO POWERFUL...
#2. Zone Conference!
Febuary 1st 2010
Of course spiritual nourishment there! I looove it. Probably one of the things I will miss MOST about the mission. :) Our scripture theme was D&C 58:27. We talked about free will...agency...and how we can choose liberty and eternal life or capitvity and death. How it's sometimes fogged on which one it which...we don't always see capitivity as a consequence...but that's what Satan wants you to think...that everything is "okay" until BAM...it's too late. We talked about daily repentance! I never really had known how to go about doing that....but Pres. Pitts (LOVE HIM!) said we should review our day and go through all the things we've done and find places we need to thank Heavenly Father for...and places we know we need to improve. I've applied this...and my prayers have not only become more meaningful...but much longer...and it's not repetitious! Try it! I feel so much closer to my Heavenly Father!
#3. Baptisms
January 30th 2010
Okay so I'm not going in order...but you get the idea. We had two baptisms this last weekend. Dausi was 12 years old and had met with missionaries for YEARS. Her mom is not a member but allowed her to get baptized. I wasn't really involved too much because I just came but it was a great day to see her take that step. Steve is the other bapitsm. I got to know him really well because we had daily contact with him the week and a half before his baptism. That's pretty hard to do since we have so much going on...but we did have daily contact. He's 44 and was taught for only a month or so before he was ready to be baptized. He truly had a change of heart. I didn't know him before but I heard about who he was and his attitude and it had totally changed. Every time he thought about his baptism or how the gospel of Jesus Christ has changed him...he'd get a little weepy. He's so happy...he's one of those people that you can see the fruits of your labors with. It's going to be hard when we have to stop teaching him and let him go on his own!
Well that's the spiritual knowledge I gained this week. Heavenly Father never ceases to amaze me. I love Him and how much He cares about me and the work S. Mosley and I doing together in our stakes. This is the best work in the world...I can't wait to be that support for the missionaries when I get back...i'm going to find them 1000 people to teach! haha Love, Sister Page
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